For several years Christine Lo (previously known as Christine Slenczka) worked as an editor for various British publishers before she began working as a translator of German literature into English in 2002. Up to now her published translation work has included Eagles and Angels by Juli Zeh (Granta Books, 2002), Heart of Fire by Senait Mehari (Profile, 2006), Juli Zeh's Dark Matter (Harvill Secker, 2010) and An Atlas of Remote Islands by Judith Schalansky (Penguin, 2010).

Why did you choose to become a translator? Is it the profession you always wanted?
Translation work developed as a sideline when I worked in publishing as an editor and as a result of my interest in the German language and culture. When I lived in Germany I couldn't work as anything other than as a translator as the working conditions in the country are much less flexible than in Great Britain. (For example I would have needed a qualification in business studies to be allowed to work at the book fair – my Masters and work experience from London didn't count for anything.)

Which German book do you like the best and why?Knulp by Hermann Hesse, which I read in English translation at the age of 16. The wonderful spirit and lightness of the novel made me want to learn German.

Is there a particular book you would like to translate?
No. It would have been Die Geschichte von Herrn Sommer by Patrick Süsskind, but this has already been translated!